How To Stand Out At A Conference
How To Stand Out At A Conference | Outfit Details
Black Dress: Rachel Parcell (old, similar) // Necklace: Made By Mary // Necklace: Kendra Scott // Earrings: Kendra Scott // Bracelet: Kendra Scott // Bracelets: Kendra Scott // Watch: Arvo Wear // Shoes: Target // Purse: Tory Burch // Striped Dress: Banana Republic // Trench Coat: Banana Republic // // Necklace: Made By Mary // Necklace: Kendra Scott // Earrings: Kendra Scott // Bracelet: Kendra Scott // Watch: Arvo Wear // Shoes: Target // Purse: Tory Burch
How To Stand Out At A Conference | Attending A Conference
For those of you who are new around here, I was a conference planner a few years back. I stopped after Jackie was born but I loved every minute of it. In that time, I organized 4 conferences and attended a lot more. I learned a lot what to wear and how to stand out, but in a good way. The industry I have been working in is full of middle aged men. There are very few women in the industry so I already stick out going to a conference because I am one of about 20 women in a group of several hundred men. I embraced this and brought my sense of style to conferences with me. Today I want to share with you some of the things I have learned.
How To Stand Out At A Conference | Dresses
Many women prefer skirts & tops or pant suits but I prefer dresses. One piece of clothing is much easier to deal with in my mind. I like to stick with solid color dresses. Patterns can get lost in a sea of people but a solid color is going to make you stand out. You can also be easily identified by people who don't know your name.
For the conference I attended this week, I chose a black Rachel Parcell dress for the first day. It is a beautiful silhouette that is still classic and professional. For the second day, I wore a white Banana Republic dress with navy stripes. I did technically break my solid color rule but this dress was just too good to pass up! By adding the maxi trench coat from Banana Republic, I brought the solid color back to my outfit. I have rounded up some dresses that would be perfect for a conference that you can shop in the widget below or at the bottom of this post!
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How To Stand Out At A Conference | Shoes
Shoes are possibly the most important part of your outfit. You are likely going to be in these shoes all day and unless you brought another pair to change into, you want them to be comfortable. I have found that the glitter kate spade x keds shoes are perfect for standing out at a conference while still having appropriate shoes and being comfortable all at the same time. I have recently started wearing heels again so I wore heels both days of the conference I attended this week. They are the same pair of heels from Target but in different colors. I love the pink pair because they add a pop of color to my black outfit. The nude pair were perfect for my second day outfit and pulled the entire outfit together.
The great thing about shoes is that you don't have to spend a ton of money to find good ones. I love a lot of pairs I have found at Target! I have rounded up some great shoe options for you that you can shop in the widget below or at the bottom of the post!
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How To Stand Out At A Conference | Purses
You're going to be in meetings all day, so you need a bag that will hold everything you need during the day plus all the business cards you will be getting and whatever swag you will get at the conference. So you will need something sturdy and probably on the bigger side. I found this Tory Burch bag while shopping last weekend and I knew it was perfect for the conference I attended this week. It is saffiano leather so it wipes clean and the white was perfect to go with both outfits!
I have rounded up some great purse options that you can shop in the widget below or at the bottom of the post.
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How To Stand Out At A Conference | Accessories
Your accessories depend on what your preferences are and how you like to coordinate with your outfits. I like to have a bolder statement earring when I attend a conference and pair them with a simpler necklace. Often at a conference you will be wearing a name badge and I have found that statement necklaces can get in the way or detract from the name badge. So something simpler is better. If I am going to wear a longer necklace, I make sure it is something I can attach my name badge to because I don't like wearing conference lanyards!
I have rounded up some great accessory options that you can shop in the widget below or at the bottom of the post.
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How To Stand Out At A Conference | Other Conference Posts
Finding the Perfect Bag for a Conference
Attending A Conference: Advise from A Conference Organizer
How To Stand Out At A Conference | Shop
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